Using Social Media for Social Impact: Part Two

June 12th, 2009 - Posted by OneStar Foundation - No Comments

Earlier this week, we wrote about social media tools and what they can do for your nonprofit. So how can you use resources most effectively at your nonprofit?

  • Commit the time. You have a lot going on at your organization. Remember that it takes time to get started and to keep social media outlets updated.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re not tech-savvy, don’t worry. See if someone on your staff is familiar with these sites. Consider getting an intern or volunteer to help get you started.
  • Explore how other nonprofits use social media. Whether you’re new to social media or have been using it for personal reasons, it’s important to explore how others are using them. Then you can determine the best ways for your organization to use it. You can start by viewing OneStar’s sites on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Good2gether.
  • Determine the right combination for your nonprofit. You don’t have to use just one outlet. You can use as many as you’d like. Determine what you want to get back from social media, then decide which tools can help you achieve those goals.
  • Keep it updated. In order to keep others interested and involved, keep your accounts updated constantly and consistently.
  • Invite communication. Social media is all about getting people to communicate, whether by commenting on a blog or sharing their stories on how your organization touched their lives. If people don’t feel connected to your organization, they might not come back. The easiest way to accomplish this is to simply ask a question and invite responses. It’s also important to engage in conversation, and let your audience know you appreciate them coming by.
  • Listen. When people do start communicating with your organization, be sure to listen. Pay attention to what they are talking about, what interests them and why they are connected to your organization. There may be some negative feedback, but that is a great opportunity for you to respond graciously and encourage transparency.
  • Promote, promote, promote. While some people will find you on their own, you still must promote your social media tools. Add a link to your sites on your main Web site or in your monthly newsletter. You can even ask other nonprofits to collaborate and swap links with you. The more people who get connected to you, the larger your audience will become.

We want to hear your ideas related to social media, or how your organization is using social media in unique ways. Tell us about them in the comments section!

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Using Social Media for Social Impact: Part One

June 9th, 2009 - Posted by OneStar Foundation - 1 Comment

You’ve probably heard the term “social media” or heard references to sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Social media lets people and groups communicate with one another online through text, pictures, links to other Web sites and more.

Why is social media important for nonprofits? First and foremost, social media are free to both content creators (your nonprofit) and users! Second, private sector businesses use social media tools to promote their brands, create conversations with their customers and advertise new products. Nonprofit organizations can use these same outreach techniques to build awareness of their causes, call out for volunteers, connect with supporters, promote events, collaborate with similar organizations, display research articles and even raise funds.

So the real question should be, “Why aren’t you utilizing social media?”

There are several types of social media tools. Your organization can leverage one or all of them:

  • Blogs. Weblogs, also known as “blogs,” are Web sites where you can compose and post entries about any topic. They also have features that allow others to comment on your posts. Blogs are easy to create and can be incorporated into your existing Web site.
    Examples: WordPress, LiveJournal.
  • Microblogging. While similar to blogs, microblogging sites are updated more frequently and have shorter posts that are usually no longer than a typical sentence. Microblogging is ideal if your organization is willing to invest time into regular updates and cross-referencing other microbloggers’ posts.
    Examples: Twitter.
  • Social networking. These sites virtually link individuals to their friends, colleagues and others who share similar interests.
    Examples: Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn.
  • Social bookmarking. A specific genre of blogs or news Web sites, social bookmarking offers users a place to list links to useful sites while sharing them with others.
    Examples: Delicious, IdealistNews.
  • Video sharing. Rather than e-mailing large video files, you can upload videos and share them with others on these sites.
    Examples: YouTube.
  • Photo sharing. Like video sharing sites, these sites allow users a place to upload photos and then share them with others rather than sending large files via e-mail.
    Examples: Flickr, Photobucket.
  • DoGood channels. This unique service, hosted by local newspapers, creates a place for nonprofits to spread the word about their services.
    Examples: DoGood Austin, DoGood San Antonio, DoGood Houston.

Another advantage of social media sites is that they can all be connected. For example, let’s say you posted a blog. After you have published it, you can then post a link to your Facebook page, “tweet” about it on your Twitter account and even post it to your LinkedIn Group.

Later this week, we’ll write more about utilizing your social media tools to achieve maximum impact.

What social media tools does your nonprofit utilize? How have they helped you? Let us know in the comments section!

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Nonprofit News: “State Offices of Social Innovation?”

June 3rd, 2009 - Posted by OneStar Foundation - No Comments

Last Friday, Andrew Wolk of Root Cause wrote a blog post that discussed his recent Boston Business Journal article—an article in which he argued for the creation of a state social innovation office in Massachusetts. In his blog, he took his argument further, asking if a social innovation office that links federal and state activities can be created in every U.S. state.

OneStar: Texas Center for Social Impact was listed in his blog post as one example of a state social innovation office that, in his words, is organized “similar to the way state-based Service Commissions have been set up,” including being “connected to AmeriCorps and the CNCS at the federal-level.”

We want to thank Andrew for recognizing OneStar and for considering us to be an organizational model for social innovation offices!

Do you think that states should utilize social innovation offices?  Do you think they are ready to implement such an office? Share your thoughts in the comments section of Andrew’s blog post, or in our comments section below.

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